This information is an overview of the benefits provided to you as an employee of the City of Lewiston. It is not an insurance contract or a full plan description. More complete information is available in the plan documents and program booklets available in the Human Resources Office.

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Employee coverage is currently paid by the City at a cost of $429.72 per month. Premium payments for dependent medical insurance are through a monthly payroll deduction. The current monthly premium costs to the employee are: Spouse - $68.43; one child - $32.95; two or more children - $52.15. The monthly premium costs to the City are: Spouse - $387.77; one child - $186.74; two or more children - $295.50.

Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

The City provides a policy for $20,000 coverage for term life and accidental death and dismemberment. Voluntary employee and spouse coverage up to $500,000 and dependent coverage up to $10,000 is also available at the employee's expense.

Personal Choice Account Plan - "Cafeteria 125"

Available to regular employees, this benefit plan establishes, according to the Internal Revenue Code Section 125, a cafeteria or flexible benefits plan, where certain nontaxable expenses (i.e. qualified health expenses, dependent care expenses and payroll deducted group premium expenses) may be provided on a pre-tax basis each plan year.

Idaho Public Employee Retirement System

The City and employee contribute according to State law. The City's contribution for general members is 10.39% of the employee's gross salary. The employee's share for a general member classification is 6/23% of gross salary. For certified police and fire personnel the City's contribution is 10.73% and the employee's contribution is 7.65% of gross salary. This retirement system is a tax-deferred program. Vesting is accomplished after five years of service for a regular retirement benefit and five years for a disability retirement.

Employees may make voluntary tax deferred contributions to a 401(k) Choice Account, up to $15,000 annually (2004). After 12 months of service, an active PERSI member is also eligible to receive gain sharing, when funding is adequate, in the form of a contribution to their 401(k) Account.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Employees who wish to directly reduce their taxable income and defer this taxation until retirement or withdrawal of funds may participate in the ICMA 457 Deferred Compensation plan. This plan allows an employee to defer up to $15,500 of his/her gross annual salary (beginning 2004). The employee may choose from numerous funds in which to invest his/her deferred salary.

Sick Leave

All regular employees, except firefighters, earn 8 hours sick leave for each calendar month after working ten days in that month. Maximum accumulation is 960 hours.

Employees who resign after five years of service receive payment for 25% of their accumulated sick leave.

At retirement 35% of an employee's accumulated sick leave will be paid into a VEBA Medical Savings Account. This account can be used to pay medical expenses for the employee and dependents.

Holidays

There are 12 paid holidays annually for employees. This schedule includes a floating holiday that is available after the employee completes an introductory period. The floating holiday(s) cannot be carried from one calendar year to another.

Uniformed fire and police, transfer station, sewer and water employees required to work on holidays, or if holidays fall on their day off, are compensated according to provisions of their union contracts.

Vacation Leave

Vacations for regular employees and fire inspectors are granted according to the following schedule: 1st-4th years, 96 hours; 5th - 9th years, 120 hours; 10th - 14th years, 160 hours; 15th - 19th years, 176 hours; 20th year and above, 200 hours. Employees shall be eligible to take vacation based on hours accrued, subject to the Department Manager's approval.

Worker's Compensation

Medical coverage is provided for on the job injuries through the State Insurance Fund. Compensation coverage is provided at approximately 65% of employee's wage also through State Insurance Fund. The City pays wages while the employee is off at approximately 35%. Calculations are made to ensure 100% of the employee's wage has been paid.

Salary

Lateral Police Officers: Starting salary is $41,433, with annual Step Increases to a maximum of $56,164. Officers assigned to special duties, such as Motor Officer, Field Training Officer, SWAT, etc., are eligible for additional pay.

Lateral Records/Communications Personnel: Starting salary is $34,242, with annual Step Increases to a maximum of $46,417. Personnel assigned to special duties, such as Certified Training Officer, are eligible for additional pay.

Entry Level Records/Communications Personnel: Starting salary is $33,162, with annual Step Increases to a maximum of $46,417. Personnel assigned to special duties, such as Certified Training Officer, are eligible for additional pay.